SOUTHPORT, N.C. -- The city of Southport is a popular spot for summer vacations, especially around holidays.

Downtown business owners say this past Memorial Day weekend was no exception.

The holiday weekend brought in big crowds and big bucks for area shops and restaurants.

Owner of the Bullfrog Corner, Marianne Long, said her sales tripled from the previous weekend.

"We had so many visitors from actually around the world. We have people sign in and tell us where they're from-- and it's been wonderful, the weather was beautiful so everyone came out,” said Long.

Long says many of her shoppers come from local beaches like Oak Island.

Oak Island accommodations staff say their rental agency had about 340 check-ins from Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24.